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Benue Groups back Gov Ortom’s anti-open grazing law

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Governor Ortom

Benue Groups declare support for Ortom anti-open grazing law.

The three main socio-cultural groups of the people of Benue State have backed Governor Samuel Ortom’s prohibition of open grazing of livestock in the state.

Naija News gathered that the spokesman for the three groups of Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi ny’Igede, Engr. Edward Ujege said in Abuja, that the law implemented to prevent open grazing will curtail unnecessary killings due to recurrent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

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He said, “The Law was the outcome of the yearnings of the people who desire peace and want a lasting solution to the incessant herdsmen and farmers clashes which had often led to the pillage of communities, the massacre of our men, women, and children as well as the destruction of our farms, homes, raping of our women and children and excessive unrest.”

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Ujege, also expressed worry over the alleged plan by members of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to frustrate the enacted anti-open grazing law in the state.

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“What worries us most is that the members of Miyetti Allah Kautal Horehave deliberately refused and failed to apply for land or take advantage of the ranches earmarked for use.

“It was reliably gathered that the leadership of the herdsmen have held clandestine meetings in Nigeria and abroad to concretize plans to visit mayhem and genocide on the people of Benue state.

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“The plot is said to be multi-directional and aimed to simultaneously invade Benue state from every angle so that there would be no escape for the defenceless people,” Ujege said.

Chief Ode Enyi, the President of Omi Ny’ Igede, in his remark, asked for compensation for victims of previous attacks who have suffered various degree of damages and losses, between 2013 and 2016, up to the tune of N5bn.

The group therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct security operatives to Benue state to ensure the enacted law is not violated or jeopardized.